[COUNTER- 3, 2.]
1. A plot contrived to defeat another plot.
c. 1611. Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. IV. iv. 961. The Towns-men are not slow With counter-plots to counter-push their Foe.
1777. Sheridan, Sch. Scand., V. iii. Plot and counter-plot, egad!
1879. Dixon, Windsor, II. vi. 60. The lords, suspecting his designs, were talking of a counterplot.
† 2. A plotting against. Obs.
1664. H. More, Myst. Iniq., iv. 10. Such a Mystery as in effect is a real counterplot and undermining as well of the Privative as Positive Scope of the Gospel of Christ.
